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United States Patent |
5,201,088
|
Larsson
|
April 13, 1993
|
Patient examination table having a simplified tilt mechanism
Abstract
A patient examination table, of the type used in an x-ray examination
apparatus, has one end secured to a ceiling or floor stand via a tilt
mechanism which permits the longitudinal axis of the table to be tilted
upwardly or downwardly. The table can be tilted around an imaginary axis,
the imaginary axis being movable roughly in the middle of the examination
table. The tilt mechanism includes a driven element, which may be a part
of the housing for the tilt mechanism, a first gear which is rigidly
attached to the stand, a second gear which is rigidly attached to the
examination table and a transmission linkage between the first and second
gears which permits the second gear to be movable around the drive shaft
of the first gear as the driven element is rotated. The second gear is
rotated in an opposite direction to the direction of rotation of the
driven element.
Inventors:
|
Larsson; Sten (Vaellingby, SE)
|
Assignee:
|
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft (Munich, DE)
|
Appl. No.:
|
802222 |
Filed:
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December 4, 1991 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
Current U.S. Class: |
5/610; 5/601; 74/384; 74/606R; 474/150 |
Intern'l Class: |
A61G 007/00 |
Field of Search: |
5/601,610,611
378/208,209
74/606 R,384,380,421,98
474/148,150
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
1270737 | Jun., 1918 | Hyatt | 5/610.
|
2347900 | May., 1944 | Frazer | 74/98.
|
2830479 | Apr., 1958 | Finn | 74/384.
|
3069543 | Dec., 1962 | Sazavsky | 5/601.
|
3525308 | Aug., 1970 | Koopmans.
| |
4156815 | May., 1979 | Hogan | 5/601.
|
4842259 | Jun., 1989 | Rice | 5/601.
|
4894855 | Jan., 1990 | Kresse.
| |
4912754 | Mar., 1990 | Van Steenburg | 378/209.
|
5013018 | May., 1991 | Sicek | 5/601.
|
Other References
Siemens-Elema Brochure for KOORDINAT 3 D II Angiography Examination Table
with Ceiling Suspension.
Siemens-Elema Brochure for CIRRUS Ceiling Suspended, Tiltable Table.
|
Primary Examiner: Trettel; Michael F.
Assistant Examiner: Saether; F.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Hill, Steadman & Simpson
Claims
I claim as my invention:
1. A patient examination table assembly comprising:
a patient examination table having a longitudinal axis;
a stand supporting said table relative to a stable horizontal surface;
tilting mechanism means, disposed between said table and said stand, for
tilting said longitudinal axis of said table up or down relative to said
horizontal surface, said tilting mechanism means including a first gear
mounted on a first shaft and rigidly attached to said stand, a second gear
mounted on a second shaft and rigidly attached to said table, a driveable
element to which said second shaft is mounted, and transmission means
mechanically linking said first and second gears for rotating said second
gear and said table around said first gear when said driveable element is
rotated, in a rotational direction opposite to the direction of rotation
of said driveable element; and
drive means contained in said stand for rotating said driveable element.
2. A patient examination table assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
transmission means comprises an uneven number of gears, said first gear,
said uneven number of gears, and said second gear meshing in sequence.
3. A patient examination table assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
transmission means is a chain entrained around said first and second
gears.
4. A patient examination table assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
transmission means is a drive belt entrained around said first and second
gears.
5. A patient examination table assembly as claimed in claim 1 further
comprising an arm extending parallel to and spaced from said first and
second gears, and in which said first and second shafts are received.
6. A patient examination table assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein said
first arm forms said driveable element and is connected to said drive
means so that said arm rotates around said first shaft.
7. A patient examination table assembly as claimed in claim 1 further
comprising:
a first arm disposed parallel to and spaced from one side of said first and
second gears; and
a second arm disposed parallel to said first arm on an opposite side of
said first and second gears, said first and second shafts extending
between and being received in said first and second arms.
8. A patient examination table assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein said
first arm forms a housing for said first and second gears and for said
transmission means and wherein said second arm forms a cover for said
housing.
9. A patient examination table assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein said
first arm forms said driveable element is connected to said drive means so
that said first arm rotates around said first shaft.
10. A patient examination table assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
first shaft is rotatable in said first gear and wherein drive means has a
drive shaft connected to said first shaft of said first gear.
11. A patient examination table assembly comprising:
a patient examination table having a longitudinal axis;
stand means for supporting said table relative to a stable horizontal
surface;
a first gear mounted on a first shaft and rigidly attached to said stand;
a second gear mounted on a second shaft and rigidly attached to said table;
a third gear disposed between and meshing with said first and second gears
and rotationally mounted on a third shaft;
a housing containing said first, second and third gears and in which said
first, second and third shafts are mounted; and
drive means contained in said stand for rotating said housing so that said
second gear and said table are rotated around said first gear by
intermeshing with said third gear in a rotational direction opposite to
the direction of rotation of said housing.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a patient examination table of the
type used to conduct an x-ray examination, the table having one end
secured to a ceiling or a floor stand via a mechanism which permits the
longitudinal axis of the examination table to be tilted upwardly or
downwardly.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A commercially available examination table for a patient in an x-ray
apparatus is described in the "KOORDINAT 3D II" brochure (Siemens). This
examination table is tiltable at one end, which is secured to a ceiling
stand which also permits the examination table to be laterally displaced.
The examination table is tiltable so that the longitudinal axis thereof
can be moved upwardly or downwardly, and the stand can be extended so that
the table is also adjustable in height. In this known apparatus, tilting
of the examination table is undertaken manually. For example, if an x-ray
examination is to be undertaken in the region of the stomach of the
patient, the stand for the x-ray tube and for the image intensifier, as
well as the examination table, must be re-positioned in order to enable
tilting of the examination table around the stomach of the patient,
because the table would otherwise collide either with the x-ray tube or
with the image intensifier.
Another commercially available x-ray examination table is disclosed in the
"CIRRUS" brochure (Siemens). This examination table is also secured to a
ceiling stand, which enables longitudinal, lateral and height displacement
of the table. The examination table is also rotatable around a shaft
arranged directly beneath the table, and displaced with respect to the
middle of the table. The examination table is also provided with an
electrical control system having a follower controller by means of which
the table can be controlled so that the region to be examined is always
located in an isocenter. In the course of an x-ray examination of the
chest or the stomach of the patient, the examination table can be tilted
around this region by means of the follower controller, without the risk
that the patient or the table will collide with the x-ray tube or with the
image intensifier.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an examination table of
the type having one end secured to a ceiling or floor stand, and which has
a longitudinal axis which is tiltable upwardly or downwardly, wherein the
examination table can be tilted around an imaginary axis which can be
moved in space roughly in the middle of the examination table.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such an
examination table wherein the tilting is accomplished using a relatively
simple, and therefore, inexpensive mechanism.
The above object is achieved in an examination table constructed in
accordance with the principles of the present invention wherein a tilt
mechanism is provided having a first gear which is rigidly attached to the
stand, a second gear which is rigidly attached to the examination table,
for a driveable element rotating the second gear around the shaft of the
first gear, and a transmission means linking the first and second gears so
that the second gear is rotated in a direction opposite to the direction
of rotation of the driveable element. A tilt mechanism is achieved which
is very simple in structure, and which permits the examination table to be
tilted generally around its central region. Because the tilt mechanism is
secured at one end face of the examination table, no mechanical parts are
present in the tilting region of the table, so that good accessibility for
the attending personnel and for the x-ray equipment is established.
In one embodiment of the invention, the tilt mechanism contains an uneven
number (at least three) of gears, which mesh with each other in sequence.
This tilt mechanism structure is extremely stable.
In a further embodiment of the invention, at least one arm is provided,
which proceeds parallel to the gears, and to which the respective shafts
of the gears are attached.
In a further modification of this embodiment, a further arm may be attached
to the opposite side of the gears. One of the arms may form a housing for
the tilt mechanism, and the other arm may form a cover for the housing.
The number of parts for the tilt mechanism is thus reduced.
In another modification of this embodiment, one of the arms forms the
driveable element and is connected to a drive means for rotating the arm
around the shaft of the first gear. The drive means preferably includes a
drive wheel having a shaft which also forms the shaft for the first gear.
The drive wheel is connected to a drive motor. A simple control of the
tilting of the examination table is thereby achieved.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side view of an examination table constructed in accordance
with the principles of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the examination table of FIG. 1.
FIGS. 3 and 4 are side views respectively showing the examination table of
FIGS. 1 and 2 tilted at different angles.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic side view showing details of the tilt
mechanism of the examination table constructed in accordance with the
principles of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
As shown in FIG. 1, an examination table 1, constructed in accordance with
the principles of the present invention, is secured to a stable horizontal
surface, in this case the ceiling, via a stand 2 and a tilt mechanism 3
connected at an end of the examination table 1. It will be understood that
the table could alternatively be secured to the floor of the examination
room. The stand 2 is provided with a column 4 which is secured to a mount
5 which runs in rails 6 fastened to the ceiling 7. The mount 5 is divided
into an upper part 8 and a lower part 9, the lower part 9 being
displaceable relative to the upper part 8 in directions perpendicular
relative to the longitudinal direction of the ceiling rails 6. The column
4 is also provided with an arm 10 which permits the column 4 to be
lengthened in downward direction. The examination table 1 can thus be
displaced in three orthogonal directions by means of the stand 2.
As can be seen in FIG. 2, the examination table is connected to the tilt
mechanism 3 by means of an L-shaped retainer 11. The tilt mechanism 3
includes first and second arms disposed on opposite sides of gears 13, 14
and 15. One of the arms forms a housing 12 for the gears 13, 14 and 15,
and the other arm, forms a cover 16 for the housing 12. The gears 13, 14
and 15 mesh in sequence, and have respective axles or shafts 17, 18 and 19
mounted in the housing 12 and in the cover 16. The gear 13 is rigidly
attached via its shaft 17 to a boom 20, which is secured to the column 4,
and which carries the tilt mechanism 3 and the examination table 1. The
gear 15 is rigidly attached to the examination table 1 via its shaft 19.
The housing 12 is rigidly connected to a drive mechanism via a drive wheel
21 connected to a drive motor 23 by a shaft 22. The shaft 22 coincides
with, or is an extension of, the shaft 17 of the gear 13. By rotating the
drive wheel 21 in the direction of the arrow 24 (shown in FIG. 3) using
the drive motor 23, the tilt mechanism 3 is also rotated around the shaft
17 in the same direction. As a result, the examination table 1 is rotated
in the opposite direction by the tilt mechanism 3, in the manner described
in greater detail in connection with FIG. 5, so that the examination table
1 is tilted downwardly around an imaginary axis. During the tilting, the
imaginary axis moves in space roughly in the middle of the examination
table 1 and transversely relative to the longitudinal axis thereof.
As shown in FIG. 4, the examination table 1 can be also tilted upwardly.
This is achieved by rotating the drive wheel 21 (as the aforementioned
driven element) by means of the drive motor 23 in the direction of the
arrow 25, so that the tilt mechanism 3 is rotated in the same direction
around the shaft 17. The examination table 1 is rotated in the opposite
direction, so that it is tilted around the aforementioned imaginary axis.
The tilt mechanism 3 is schematically shown in FIG. 5. As can be seen, the
gears 13, 14 and 15 attached to the housing 12 and to the cover 16 mesh in
sequence. As described above, the gear 13 is rigidly attached to the stand
2 by the shaft 17, and the gear 15 is attached to the examination table 1
by the axis 19. The gear 14 is mounted to be rotatable within the housing
12 and the cover 16 via the axle 18. When the drive wheel 21 is driven by
the drive motor 23 to rotate around the shaft 17 in the direction of the
arrow 24, the housing 12 and the cove 16 are also caused to rotate in the
direction of the arrow 24, so that the gear 14 rotates around its axle 18
in the same direction, as shown by the arrow 26 in FIG. 5. The gear 15 is
thus caused to rotate in the opposite direction, as shown by the arrow 27,
so that the examination table 1 is gradually tilted around the shaft 19 to
the position shown in FIG. 3 (and shown in FIG. 5 in dot-dash lines). If
the tilt mechanism 3 is rotated around the shaft 17 in the direction of
the arrow 25, the gear 14 is rotated around its shaft 18 in the same
direction, as shown by the arrow 28. In this manner, the gear 15 is caused
to rotate in the opposite direction, as shown by the arrow 29, and the
examination table 1 is gradually tilted around the shaft 19 to the
position shown in FIG. 4 (and shown in dot-dash lines in FIG. 5).
The tilt angle of the examination table 1 is dependent on the transmission
ratio between the gears 13 and 15. The transmission linkage between these
gears 13 and 15 can be selected so that other, desired tilt angles can be
achieved. In this manner, the imaginary axis around which the examination
table is tilted can be displaced.
In a further embodiment of the tilt mechanism, the gear 14 can be replaced
by a chain or belt transmission link which connects the gears 13 and 15 to
each other. Given such a transmission link between the gears 13 and 15,
the housing 12 and the cover 16, which follow the circular motion of the
gear 15 around the shaft 17, can be replaced by two parallel plates
disposed opposite each other, the gears 13 and 15 being disposed between
these two parallel plates and the plates being provided with arcuate slots
in which the shaft 19 of the gear 15 can run. The movement of the gear 15
along the arcuate slot in this embodiment is controlled with a drive
mechanism.
Although other modifications and changes may be suggested by those skilled
in the art, it is the intention of the inventor to embody within the
patent warranted hereon all changes and modifications as reasonably and
properly come within the scope of his contribution to the art.
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